Report: Fred VanVleet signs four-year, $85 million deal to stay with Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are bringing back on of their biggest contributors. Fred VanVleet has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $85 million deal to return to Toronto, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Fred VanVleet has agreed to a four-year, $85M deal to re-sign with the Toronto Raptors, agent Brian Jungreis of @ParLay_SE told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
VanVleet’s deal contains a player option for the fourth season.
The deal is a massive win for VanVleet, who went undrafted out of Wichita State prior to the 2016-17 NBA season.
Four years ago, Fred VanVleet hosted a draft party. He was passed over 60 times. Disappointed, but not defeated, he grabbed the microphone. As Fred enters free-agency, this speech is a reminder why he’s such a role model for young athletes everywhere.
pic.twitter.com/3ukiHvAPOb— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) November 20, 2020
After going undrafted, VanVleet tweeted “bet on yourself.” He made sure that tweet resurfaced Saturday.
— Fred VanVleet (@FredVanVleet) November 21, 2020
VanVleet signed with the Raptors, where he proceeded to blossom into a starter. VanVleet averaged just 2.9 points and 7.9 minutes with the Raptors as a rookie, but saw his playing time increase to 20 minutes per game during his second season.
The 26-year-old made 28 starts during his third season with the Raptors before becoming the team’s full-time starter in 2019-20.
VanVleet averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 assists with the Raptors last season.
Raptors remain a top contender in the East with Fred VanVleet
With the move, the Raptors should remain one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference for years to come. VanVleet will combine with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby to give the Raptors a young core for the foreseeable future.
The Raptors went 58-19 with that group last season, finishing second in the Eastern Conference behind the Milwaukee Bucks. The Raptors lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals in seven games.
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